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M Rovatti

Publications and source records attributed to M Rovatti.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

[Contamination of the operating room with anesthetic gases and vapors. Analytical methods].

An approach for the measurement of the contamination of the operating room air is presented. The measurements were performed in three operating rooms used for general surgery, partly in model experiments and partly while anesthesia was in progress. During anesthesia, the measurements were taken when oxygen 3 l/min containing ethrane 1.0--1.5% was passed into a semi-closed circle and the exhaled gas vented directly to the environmental air with no scavenging system in use. The daily exposure of operating room personnel was determined by adsorption of ethrane on glass tubes containing activated charcoal. The ethrane was subsequently desorbed in toluol and quantified by gas chromatography. The concentration of contaminant was found to be significantly greater in the anesthesiologist's position than in the areas of surgeon and circulating nurse. Some pitfalls in sampling, standardization, and analysis are indicated. Attention is drawn to the numerous factors influencing the extent of contamination.

Air Pollution

[Biliary ileus].

The authors report a retrospective review of four cases of gallstone ileus seen at Semeiotica Chirurgica, at Patologia Chirurgica II and Clinica Chirurgica II of Policlinico San Matteo I.R.C.C.S. of Pavia between 1974 and 1989. Three patients were women and one male, with average age 69.4 years. All obstructions occurred in the distal ileum. Proceeding from available data in the literature and from their personal experience the Authors emphasize that gallstone ileus is a rare cause of mechanical obstruction of intestine (4% of the obstructions of the small bowel). This disease usually occurs in elderly women, with concomitant illness. Approximately 50 per cent of the patients have an history of gallbladder disease. The authors discuss the controversy on performing an enterolithotomy alone versus one stage procedure consisting of removal of the impacted stone, fistula repair and cholecystectomy. The prognosis is severe. High mortality and many postoperative complications are caused by the advanced age of the patients, concomitant illness and usually delayed diagnosis.

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